Talking points

Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...

Vice-premier in London for economic talks

Vice-Premier Wang Qishan (left) begins a three-day visit to Britain. With Chancellor George Osborne, he will co-chair the Fourth China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue. Wang will be accompanied by more than 10 ministers, including central bank governor Zhou Xiaochuan . The National Development and Reform Commission will also hold trade talks with British counterparts on economic co-operation.

Harbour protection group defines 'the public interest'

In what could be a watershed day, Winston Chu of the Society for the Protection of the Harbour will outline the pressure group's definition of 'overriding public interest' when it comes to reclamation of Hong Kong's famous waterway. Chu will appear before the Harbourfront Commission. He is expected to call for a statutory body to be set up to manage the development of Victoria Harbour.

South Korean envoy to US for talks on North

South Korea's chief nuclear envoy kicks off a two-day visit to the United States, after North Korea's latest announcement that it was ready to resume long-stalled disarmament talks. Wi Sung-lac plans to meet Stephen Bosworth (left), Washington's special envoy on Pyongyang, and Clifford Hart, tipped to become the new chief US envoy to the six-way talks. The North abandoned the six-party negotiations aimed at scrapping its nuclear arsenal in April 2009 and conducted its second nuclear test a month later. But diplomatic efforts to restart the dialogue have picked up this summer. Nuclear envoys from the two Koreas held a rare meeting in Bali in July.

Taiwan-mainland direct charter flights take off

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou will preside tomorrow over the inauguration of direct charter flights between Tainan in Taiwan and Xiamen in Fujian. Tainan authorities said all 158 seats of the first flight were full and that the new flights would give a strong boost to tourism.

Bank of Japan may ease monetary policy

The Bank of Japan holds its regular policy review. The central bank's governor, Masaaki Shirakawa, has signalled that the bank is ready to ease monetary policy again if the recovery prospects of the economy are threatened.

Perry's first appearance at Republican debates

The leading candidates for the Republican presidential nomination will take part in a nationally televised debate in California, with Governor Rick Perry of Texas (right) taking to the stage for the first time. Coming at the opening of the autumn campaign season, the event will be closely watched for clashes between Perry and Mitt Romney, who has fallen behind the Texas governor in opinion polls in the Republican race to challenge Barack Obama next year. Romney is distrusted by some conservatives for his changing views on abortion and for backing a state health care law that led to the Obama health plan.